Pat on the back for the Palace prince at Queen’s

Loan star Boateng’s out to follow in footsteps of illustrious boss Vieira

HE has a long way to go trying to emulate Patrick Vieira.

But at Hampden on Saturday Queen’s Park midfielder Malachi Boateng produced a performance that would have impressed even his Crystal Palace gaffer.

The 20-year-old is on loan from Selhurst Park for the season and Boateng was instrumental in the thumping win over hapless Hamilton on their temporary return to the National Stadium.

The Londoner bossed the middle of the park the way Vieira used to do regularly for Arsenal.

Queen’s Park boss Owen Coyle has unearthed a gem in Boateng.

If he doesn’t make it at Palace, expect scouts from the cinch Championship and Premiership to be asking about his availability.

But for now, Queen’s Park fans are enjoying his displays. Boateng was taken by Vieira on Palace’s pre-season tour of Singapore and Australia last summer before being sent to Glasgow.

And Boateng is convinced the move to Queen Park’s has already made him a better player. He said: “At Palace, we all said I was playing in my comfort zone with their U23’s. So I wanted to challenge myself. That was the main ask coming here and I’m doing it.

“I don’t really know if Palace are keeping track of me. I’m just trying to play my football and develop as a player. I believe I’m doing that right now.

“Vieira was someone I looked up so it’s good to play under him, a good feeling. He’s given me tips and good advice. If I could have half of his career, I’ll be happy.”

Accies’ midfield couldn’t live with Boateng’s running power and physicality on Saturday.

His run and pass for Simon Murray to score Queen’s Park’s second goal was a thing of beauty.

Queen’s Park put this game out of sight in a scintillating first half.

Ironically, just as the visitors were starting to get a foothold in the game, the Spiders broke the deadlock.

Dom Thomas started the move before Jack Thomson teed up Grant Savoury to finish. Murray buried his chance after Boateng’s brilliant through ball for 2-0.

Then ex-Rangers winger Josh McPake scored a wonderful third.

He cut in from the left – far too easily from Accies’ perspective – and curled a shot past Ryan Fulton.

At that point, you feared for John Rankin’s side.

The away support vented their fury at the players and manager before Queen’s made it 4-0 by half-time. A fluid move involving

Tommy Robson, Murray and Thomas ended in Savoury slotting home his second of the afternoon.

Some Accies fans left at the break, completely scunnered with their side’s performance.

Rankin made changes at the break and they stemmed the tide. But Coyle’s men had taken their foot off the gas.

Iit was Hamilton’s ninth defeat in 11 games and they’re now two points adrift at the bottom.

Rankin is under pressure and after vowing to fight for his job, he says if he can’t rely on Accies’ experienced players – he’ll play their youngsters instead.

He said: “We had 11 minutes of madness when we conceded three goals. Their third goal was the worst. The winger is 40 yards from goal and our players just backed off.

“If you watched that in an U10s or U11s game, you’d be frustrated. The fourth was just embarrassing.”

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